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Complaint? – Sorry, Next Window

August 19, 2010 By PaulK 28 Comments
m-150a_complaint_department

I've been writing about adjusting, re-adjusting, discovery and rediscovery in recent articles.  While on "vacation," I've been observing the similarities and differences between two homes - my first one and my last one. One of the reasons for vacationing was along medical lines.  My 60,000 mile maintenance was long overdo and I needed a complete inspection - body, frame, fluids:  the works.  Rather that putting up with the endless problems other military retirees face when trying to obtain medical benefits in the Philippines, I decided it best to head back to the USA and get my medical needs resolved at an MTF - a Military Treatment Facility, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Communication, Daily Life, Expats, Health Care, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating

Getting to the Root of the Problem

July 28, 2010 By Jawz 32 Comments
xray

I remember it started in 2004. Granny gave me cloves to bite on, but I found cold milk, settled over the painful tooth-area, to be the best remedy. The clothes didn't numb the pain. The dentist thought I needed a root canal, but my mom seemed to doubt the idea. The doctor thought of possible sinus infection, and gave me antibiotics. It cleared up. It almost flared back up in 2007, but more antibiotics did the trick. In late 2008, it hit at its worse. I was soon to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted, yet the dentist said nothing seemed odd about the x-rays. The doctor I visited couldn't figure it out either. The neurologist wanted to rule … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jawz Tagged With: Daily Life, Davao, Expats, Financial, Health Care, Jonathan Watson, Living in The Philippines

Are costs really so important?

April 27, 2010 By JohnM 67 Comments
health

I’m not trying to be facetious about the title of this article. I was inspired to write this posting a bit by a recent article that Dave Starr wrote on his blog, entitled, “Things To Consider Aside From Philippine Cost Of Living”. You see, there was a recent event in our lives that occurred that really drove home this point. I’ll relate the story below, and I hope that all of those who are considering moving here give this some serious consideration. Dave mentioned that he gets frequent comments and questions from people wanting to know the cost of living: What does it cost to live here? It is an understandable question, given the considerable … [Read more...]

Filed Under: John Miele Tagged With: Daily Life, Expats, Financial, Health, Health Care, John Miele, Living in The Philippines

A tragedy in the family!

January 21, 2010 By Feyma 20 Comments
kevin

I am writing today about what happened to my nephew. His name is Kevin. He is 9 years old. His just 3 days younger than my youngest son Jared. He is kind of quiet kid, I think because they just moved to Mindanao last year from Manila. He is still adjusting to everything here. He went to school with my other nephew Joshua who is 4 days older than him. They went to the same school so that Kevin can adjust easily, but they are not in the same class so that no competition will occur. His been studying in that school for 4 months.  He is learning Bisaya quickly too. Then in early November his teacher asked him to throw the garbage. The teacher … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feyma Tagged With: Family, Feyma Martin, Health, Health Care, Living in The Philippines

What about expats?

November 9, 2009 By MindanaoBob 120 Comments

Before I start writing on my topic for today, let me say in advance that this is a real hot button issue for Americans.  I want to remind all readers and participants on LiP to please keep the discussion civil.  No name calling.  Please, let's just focus in on how expats are affected, and not the debate of the issue itself. Health care. It has been a major issue in the United States for decades now.  There was a big rush of activity in the early 90's when President Bill Clinton tried to push through a National Health Care plan, with the effort being headed up by his wife, Hillary.  After the proposal was shot down in the early 90's, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Tagged With: Bob Martin, Daily Life, Expats, Health, Health Care, Living in The Philippines

The Mighty Mosquito

September 25, 2009 By MindanaoBob 87 Comments

You've heard the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword, right?  Well, over the past several weeks, I have come to find out that the mosquito may just be mightier than either the sword or the pen.  Because of a mosquito, I have been sick for three weeks already.  And, when I say sick, I am not just saying that I didn't feel well, I have been seriously ill. Three weeks ago, I thought I had a cold.  I had sniffles, a slight fever and a sore throat.  It took a week or so, but it passed.  For a couple of days, I felt OK.  Weak, but OK.  Then, I had a couple of events to attend to one day - a breakfast with a friend, and then lunch … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Tagged With: Bob Martin, Daily Life, Dengue Fever, Health, Health Care, Living in The Philippines

Torture or Healing?

July 13, 2009 By Rusty 25 Comments

I've been wanting to try reflexology for quite some time.  I finally decided to do it a few days ago.  I had heard it was painful at first and that it could heal all kinds of things.  I don't know if it heals anything yet but I can attest to the pain! Reflexology in The Philippines The process is a little bit science, a little bit magic and a little bit torture.  Jessie even said, "I like to see you in pain.".  LOL  She even took my picture to document the experience.  We are not married officially but its beginning to feel very married.  It was all in good fun. I did it part because I wanted to experience the culture of the Philippines.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Rusty Tagged With: Filipino Culture, Health Care, Living in The Philippines, Rusty Ferguson

Generically speaking…

July 13, 2009 By MindanaoBob 71 Comments

If you elect to live in the Philippines, one of the things that you have to keep in mind is health care.  I mean, health care is relatively inexpensive here, but the costs can add up.  You can get certain types of insurance, but the odds of having a medical plan as comprehensive as what you may be used to is not that likely. I mean, for many expats, they may well be leaving behind a government medical plan.  For example, Canadians, British and most Europeans have free, or low cost medical care as part of their Citizenship.  Americans, for the most part, have health insurance through their employer.  Yes, some Americans are uninsured, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Tagged With: Bob Martin, Daily Life, Health Care, Living in The Philippines

H1N1 and the Philippines (updated)

June 8, 2009 By MindanaoBob 87 Comments

Remember a month ago, maybe 2 months ago?  H1N1, or Swine Flu as it was called back then was a hot topic on the news.  Mexico was ground zero for the swine flu.  The USA was not far behind, with plenty of cases of Swine Flu showing up in many US States.  There were many deaths in both the USA and Mexico. It didn't take long, and "Swine Flu" was out of the headlines.  Instead, the H1N1 Virus took over.  It was the same thing, but the name was changed, reportedly because Pig Farmers complained and didn't want their business to suffer because of the name, "Swine Flu."  So, instead, newspapers and TV news reports were reporting about H1N1 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Tagged With: Bob Martin, Health, Health Care, Living in The Philippines

Filipinos only want your money

June 5, 2009 By MindanaoBob 170 Comments

Filipinos are only out for your money. I hear it every day from a lot of foreigners.  I hear it from people I meet with face to face.  I hear it from people who e-mail me.  I remember when I first got married to Feyma.  So many people told me - "Oh, she only wants a green card."  Imagine, if a lot of people told me that to my face, how many people were thinking it but just too embarrassed to speak up?  Lots, I am sure. Well, Feyma and I were married nearly 19 years ago, and we are still married.  She got her green card, but she still stayed with me.  She even became a US citizen and stuck by my side.  Even when I convinced her to move … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Tagged With: Bob Martin, Filipino Culture, Health, Health Care, Living in The Philippines, Relationships
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